Liquid injection system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (1) for spraying washing liquid, comprising: a washing liquid tank (3), a plurality of spray members (5) fluidically connected to the tank (3), a pump (7) configured to supply washing liquid to the spray members (5), a plurality of valves (11) respectively connected to the plurality of spray members (5) and configured to selectively deliver the pumped washing liquid to the corresponding spray members (5), wherein the plurality of valves (11) are arranged in the form of a distribution block (9), the inlet (9a) of the block being configured to be fluidically connected to the pump (7), and the distribution block comprising fluid connectors (31) arranged in parallel and intended to be connected to the spray members (5), and wherein the distribution block (9) further comprises a mechanical overpressure valve (13) arranged in parallel with the fluid connector (31) and configured to be assembled on the fluid connector (31) of the distribution block (9).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of liquid injection systems for motor vehicles. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles all have washer fluid spray systems to keep the vehicle's windshield clean and allow the driver to see out optimally.

[0003] Furthermore, in the case of the use of multiple sensors, in particular driving assistance optical sensors, the number of injection systems is multiplied to allow the proper functioning of these optical sensors, which are usually exposed to dust in the external environment.

[0004] In order to avoid the number of components from being multiplied, it is known to share certain components of the spray system, such as pumps or tanks between different spray systems. A valve is then used to guide and deliver the pumped cleaning fluid to a selected spray end piece (or spray nozzle).

[0005] However, such a configuration requires a more powerful pump and a higher pressure level, for example greater than 6 bar, than a "conventional" cleaning system for windscreens only.

[0006] However, this level of pressure may carry the risk of damaging the material as well as the safety of the user.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to be able to control the maximum pressure in the hydraulic circuit of the injection system in order to enable the use of cheaper components and avoid such risks. Summary of the Invention

[0008] For this purpose, a system for spraying washing liquid is proposed, comprising:

[0009] -Washing liquid tank,

[0010] - at least one injection member fluidly connected to the tank,

[0011] - a pump configured to supply washing liquid to the at least one spray member,

[0012] at least one valve, which is respectively coupled to at least one spray member and is configured to selectively deliver the pumped washing liquid to the respective at least one spray member,

[0013] wherein the at least one valve is arranged in the form of a dispense block, the inlet of the block being configured to be fluidically connected to a pump, and the dispense block comprising fluid connectors arranged in parallel and intended to be connected to at least one injection member, and wherein the dispense block further comprises a mechanical overpressure valve arranged in parallel with the fluid connectors and configured to be assembled on one of the fluid connectors of the dispense block.

[0014] The use of an overpressure valve in the distribution block makes it possible to limit the pressure in the injection system, thereby enabling the use of less robust and therefore cheaper components while ensuring user protection. Furthermore, the arrangement in the distribution block results in a high level of modularity, small dimensions and simplified maintenance.

[0015] According to one embodiment, there are a plurality of injection members, and a plurality of valves respectively coupled to the plurality of injection members.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the mechanical overpressure valve comprises a 1 / 4 adapter at its inlet.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, the overpressure valve comprises an outlet nose which is configured to be fluidically connected to a return hose in the direction of the tank.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the overpressure valve includes a seal-ball-spring assembly configured to move the ball away from the seal when the pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the overpressure valve further comprises a screw or a preload nut for the spring, the screw or the preload nut being configured to adjust the predetermined value.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the predetermined value is between 5 and 6 bars.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the pressure relief valve comprises a housing made of a plastic material.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the valves are solenoid valves.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the distributor block is a modular block, wherein the number of valves can be adapted according to the number of injection members to be supplied.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the fluid connectors are standard connectors. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent on reading the following description given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples and through the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] [ Figure 1 ] shows a simplified diagram of a system for spraying washing liquid;

[0027] [ Figure 2 ] shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an overpressure valve;

[0028] [ Figure 3 ] shows a first perspective view of the overpressure valve;

[0029] [ Figure 4 ] shows a second perspective view of the overpressure valve;

[0030] [ Figure 5 ] shows a third perspective view of the overpressure valve;

[0031] [ Figure 6 ] shows a fourth perspective view of the overpressure valve;

[0032] [ Figure 7 ] shows a simplified diagram of the allocation block.

[0033] In the drawings, identical elements are provided with identical reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description relates to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference numeral relates to the same embodiment or that the features apply to only one embodiment. Individual features of different embodiments may also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0035] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a system 1 for spraying washer fluid, in particular for a motor vehicle, wherein Figure 1 . The spray system 1 comprises a washing liquid tank 3, a plurality (in this case six) of spray members 5 (e.g., spray nozzles), a pump 7, and a distribution block 9 comprising a plurality (in this case six) of valves 11 and a mechanical overpressure valve 13. The different elements of the spray system 1 are fluidically connected, for example, by pipes or hoses 15. The arrow on the pipe 15 indicates the flow direction of the washing liquid.

[0036] The pump 7 is configured to pump out the washing liquid from the tank 3 and deliver it to the distribution block 9 and the injection member 5. The valve 11 of the distribution block 9 is configured to be fluidically connected to different injection members 5, respectively. The valve 11 is configured to selectively deliver the pumped washing liquid to the associated injection member 5. For example, the valve 11 is a solenoid valve. The valves 11 are arranged in parallel, which means that they are all connected to the fluid channel of the distribution block 9. This fluid channel is connected to the inlet 9a of the distribution block 9 and the outlet 9b of the distribution block 9, the inlet being connected to the pump 7 and the outlet being connected to the tank 3. For example, an overpressure valve 13 is arranged at the outlet 9b of the distribution block 9.

[0037] Thus, in operation, activating the pump 7 enables the delivery of washer liquid from the tank 3 to the distribution block 9 and to the spraying member 5, the associated valve 11 of which is open. Furthermore, when the pressure of the washer liquid in the distribution block 9 exceeds a predetermined value, the overpressure valve 13 is configured to allow the liquid to return to the tank 3 and thus limit the pressure in the spraying system 1, in particular in the distribution block 9 and in the hose 15. This pressure limitation makes it possible to limit the risk of rupture of various components and to use cheaper and lighter components, while ensuring the safety of the vehicle's passengers when using the spraying system of a motor vehicle.

[0038] Figure 2 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a mechanical overpressure valve 13 is shown. The valve includes an elastic element 21 (in this case, a coil spring) configured to push a ball 23 against a seal 25 (e.g., an O-ring seal). The stiffness of spring 21 can be selected according to a predetermined pressure value. Furthermore, spring 21 can abut an adjustable stop 27, such as a screw or a preload nut, to preload coil spring 21, thereby adjusting the predetermined pressure value. For example, the predetermined value is between 5 and 6 bar.

[0039] The overpressure valve 13 also includes an inlet 13a in fluid communication with the outlet 13b of the valve 13, and a fluid channel 13c connecting the inlet 13a to the outlet 13b. A ball 23 is positioned within this fluid channel. Arrows at the inlet 13a and outlet 13b indicate the direction of liquid flow. Therefore, during operation, as long as the fluid pressure falls below a predetermined value, the cleaning fluid is blocked by the ball 23, which is in contact with the O-ring seal 25. When the fluid pressure on the ball 23 exceeds the predetermined pressure, the ball 23 compresses the spring 21, creating a space between the ball 23 and the O-ring seal 25, thereby allowing the cleaning fluid to pass through. When the pressure drops below the predetermined value again, the ball 23, under the action of the spring 21, rests against the O-ring seal 25 again, preventing the cleaning fluid from passing through. This ball 23-spring 21 combination enables an uncertainty of approximately + / - 5% relative to the predetermined value.

[0040] In addition, if you can Figures 3 to 6 As better seen in FIG, the overpressure valve 13 may include a 1 / 4 adapter at the inlet 13a so that the overpressure valve can be quickly and easily fixed to the distribution block 9 and the fluid connector 31 (in Figure 713a). A seal (not shown), for example a conical seal, may also be provided at the inlet 13a to ensure the tightness of the interface at the complementary end piece. The overpressure valve 13 may also include a nose having a collar 29 and a shape that narrows toward its outlet end to allow the hose or pipe 15 to be secured to the nose. The shape of the nose also corresponds to the shape of the fluid connector 31, allowing the overpressure valve to be inserted between the fluid connector 31 and the pipe 15. The housing of the overpressure valve 13 may be integrally formed and may be made of a plastic material.

[0041] Figure 7 An exemplary embodiment of a distribution block 9 is shown, comprising three solenoid valves 11 arranged in parallel and associated with three fluid connectors 31 intended to connect to injection members 5. The solenoid valves 11 are arranged along a fluid channel connecting the inlet 9a and outlet 9b of the distribution block 9. The aforementioned overpressure valve 13 is also arranged at outlet 9b of the distribution block 9. The overpressure valve 13 is configured to fit onto a standard fluid connector 31 of the distribution block 9. However, it should be noted that the overpressure valve 13 can also be arranged at another location, such as one of the fluid connectors 31, with the outlet 13b of the overpressure valve 13 still being fluidically connected to the tank 3. The distribution block 9 is modular, and therefore, when deploying the injection system 1 in a motor vehicle, the number of solenoid valves 11 can be easily modified to match the number of injection members 5, for example, depending on the vehicle model. Different distribution blocks 9 can also be combined. In this case, the overpressure valve 13 can be arranged at a common outlet of the group of distribution blocks 9. For example, the fluid connectors 31 of the distribution blocks 9 are standard connectors.

[0042] Thus, the use of a modular dispenser block makes it possible to adjust the size of the dispenser block according to the number of spray members to be supplied, and the use of standard fluid connectors allows the connection of a hose or pipe 15 and the connection of an overpressure valve. The overpressure valve makes it possible to ensure that the pressure in the spray system does not exceed a threshold value, thereby ensuring the safety of the user while enabling the use of devices that need to withstand pressures above the threshold value, which makes it possible to use lower-cost devices.

Claims

1. A system (1) for spraying a washing liquid, characterized in that The system comprises: at least one valve (11) intended to be coupled to the tank (3) and, respectively, to at least one spray member (5), and configured to selectively deliver washing liquid pumped out of the tank (3) to the respective at least one spray member (5), wherein the at least one valve (11) is arranged in the form of a distribution block (9), the inlet (9a) of the block being configured to be fluidically connected to a pump (7), and the distribution block comprising a fluid connector (31) arranged in parallel and intended to be connected to the at least one injection member (5), and wherein the distribution block (9) further comprises a mechanical overpressure valve (13) arranged in parallel with the fluid connector (31) and configured to be assembled on one of the fluid connectors (31) of the distribution block (9); When the pressure of the washing liquid in the distribution block (9) exceeds a predetermined value, the mechanical overpressure valve (13) is configured to allow the liquid to return to the tank (3).

2. The system (1) for spraying washing liquid according to claim 1, wherein There are a plurality of injection members (5), and a plurality of valves (11) respectively coupled to the plurality of injection members (5).

3. The system (1) for spraying washing liquid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The mechanical overpressure valve (13) comprises a 1 / 4 adapter at its inlet.

4. The system (1) for spraying washing liquid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The overpressure valve (13) comprises an outlet nose configured to be fluidically connected to a return hose (15) in the direction of the tank (3).

5. The system (1) for spraying washing liquid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The overpressure valve (13) comprises a seal (25)-ball (23)-spring (21) assembly configured to move the ball (23) away from the seal (25) when pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

6. The system (1) for spraying washing liquid according to claim 5, wherein The overpressure valve further comprises a screw or preload nut (27) for the spring (21), the screw or preload nut being configured to adjust the predetermined value.

7. The system (1) for spraying washing liquid according to claim 5, wherein The predetermined value is between 5 and 6 bars.

8. The system (1) for spraying washing liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The overpressure valve (13) comprises a housing made of plastic material.

9. The system (1) for spraying washing liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The valve (11) is a solenoid valve.

10. The system (1) for spraying washing liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The distribution block (9) is a modular block, wherein the number of valves (11) can be adapted according to the number of spray members (5) to be supplied.

11. The system (1) for spraying washing liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The fluid connector (31) is a standard connector.

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